HR-54 hard drive has failed, recommended next steps???

The HR54 is still current technology. Call DirecTV and they'll send you a replacement. 

Thanks for the quick response...  A few more questions...

-- Would replacing this HR54 cause us to have some new, extended contract??  Would hope not...  It's just a failed hard drive...  I have many pictures of the system saying the Hard Drive has failed...!!!!

-- Oh, and what can you say about using the satellite setup (which we do) vs switching to a streaming setup???  I certainly know what streaming is (we stream tons of content outside of Directv but what does it mean to do streaming within Directv???  

-- Will they send an HR54 or do they still sometimes send either HR34's or 44's??  would not want old technology...

-- Will it still work via Whole Home with our HR24 we have in one other room???

-- Should I inquire about getting a more modern client to replace the C31 we have??  It works fine and I'd be ok with just leaving it alone but just curious..

thanks again for your help!!!!

Call DirecTV and let them know the error messages about hard drive failure.

Warranty replacement is $19.95 delivery.

Get a "like-new" condition HR54 as is same model or newer of same product line.

(Even if you had an HR34, those are long gone)

Might get the revised model HR54R1 which doesn't have an eSATA port so no more option for an external hard drive.

Most likely agent would offer an "upgrade" to the Genie-2 (HS17).

Unlike warranty replacement, comes with 24 month service agreement.

Would require your dedicated HDDVR (HR24) be replaced.

All TVs would have a Client, the HS17 is a server tower that sits by itself.

No Picture in Picture or separate hard drives, all-in-one setup.

Whether you go with warranty replacement, or upgrade with 24 month service agreement, recordings from any box replaced are lost.

Appreciate the feedback...  So if I get another HR54, there is no 2 year contract, right???  But with the HS17, there would be???  And you say the HS17 "sits by itself and then for our three tv's there would be 3 clients I guess and our HR24 would need to go away???  How does the HS17 communicate with the clients???  WiFi, sat cable, what???  

My leaning is to stay with the HR54...  Case in point is tomorrow there is a football game I'd like to record and since our HR24 is still working, I can...  HS17 would be a single point failure I assume...  

Your thoughts???  Especially on how I avoid signing up for 2 more years, guessing it's to just ask for a "warranty replacement" of my HR54, right???

thanks again..

Right. No new contract when replacing defective equipment with the same model.

The HS17 is a different model, but it's not really an upgrade from the HR54. You can't use your HR24 if you get the HS17. 

I recommend simply replacing the HR54. 

Thanks...  Called Directv a bit ago and requested another HR54...  I was told that is what would be coming...  I had forgotten but my wife suggested we get the hardware protection five years ago when we last had to replace a DVR...  I was opposed but...

So we got the $19.95 fee waved...  and for how much???  Well, let's say 5 years (60 months) at $10.99 / month (current fee)...  So let's say about $660 to save $20....  Hmmmm...  Even my wife got a chuckle out of that!!!!  

Said it would be delivered in 2-5 business days and they also told us they did NOT want the current HR54 returned...  A bit surprised by that since that is still current hardware...  But we even asked him to repeat that and he did.  He said keep it or recycle it locally...  

Then we will have to try to remember how to activate the new box...  I will read my notes from the replacement we did 5 years ago, two of them in fact (HR54 and HR24)...  Both of the old ones failed within a month of each other in 2020...  

thanks again for all the help...

Warranty replacement does not come with a 24 month service agreement. Best to check order confirmation to be sure the agent doesn't order an upgrade by "accident".

The Genie-2 (HS17) is wired into the coax like any other box. It just doesn't go on a TV. It does have a built-in Wireless Video Bridge (WVB) if you had any wireless Clients.

Yes the HR24 would have to go away if you got the Genie-2. It is the only model that forbids dedicated receivers/HDDVRs on the account, only allowing Clients. This was AT&T's attempt to simplify for the business at the cost of customer convenience and flexibility.

In most cases it is better to warranty replace. I find the Genie-2 to be a downgrade for too many setups.

If you are paying for DirecTV's Equipment Protection Plan ($10.99) then you are covered on the shipping. It covers delivery of replacement boxes ($19.95), Service Calls ($99), and replacement remotes ($15 or cheaper through other online retailers).

However, I find the protection plan to be a waste of money. You are paying $131.88 a year whether you use it or not. If you need to use it so often it is cheaper than one-time costs, then something is very wrong with your setup. The only value I see in the plan is for people who have trouble managing their reserve funds and deal better with a known cost in the monthly bill instead of having spare funds for the one-time costs even though it may be years between such a cost. (Wasn't that long ago it was $7.99 a month and I still found it a money sink).

Keep the HR54 for about 3 months minimum to verify if you get a return notice or a non-return fee (NRF). Then good to recycle. The HR54 is essentially current, but because of the heavy push to the newest (but not greatest) model, and other models are not being made new anymore, practically everything else is non-returnable now. Dedicated HDDVRs were stopped years ago, with the HR24 being the last (and last that was compatible with pre-SWM systems as anything Genie is SWM-only).